Cyclocross Season Starts This Weekend, Well…Maybe

Posted on September 11, 2013 by aa
Spa:CX run-up

Spa:CX run-up

After a solid mountain bike season that finished with a very strong win in the NYS MTB Series Finale, it is now time to switch gears to cyclocross season. Or is it? Back in July, I incurred an injury to the middle finger on my left hand. I went to my doctor, I got x-rays and no broken bones or dislocations. But clearly there was a problem. I couldn’t straighten it at the first joint. I knew there was a tear, but I didn’t really have pain or discomfort. I could use it…mostly. So I continued to ride and race. Well, after a while the finger started to look a bit more deformed. The healthy tendon was pulling back on the finger while the torn tendon was doing nothing but being torn.

So I finally made an appointment to see and orthopedic surgeon, a hand specialist. One look is all it took. No tests, no MRI, just a quick look to tell be that I have a ruptured tendon and a condition called “mallet finger”. At this point, because I waited, there is no surgery for it. Treatment and repair involves keeping the joint 100% immobile in a splint for at least 6 weeks. And the good news is that I can do anything that I want to do as long as I keep the splint on and the finger does not bend at the first joint. That is anything except racing. The Doc says I can ride as much as I want to, but I can’t race.

Of course I have been on all my bikes to test out the shifting and braking with my left hand. Sure I can do it, and sure it feels awkward, but I can do it. But, can I do it safely at race pace? That is what I have to find out. The last NYCROSS Thursday Night Lights race will be the test. There is a lot of braking on that course, and if I can handle that, I think I can handle a full course cyclocross race. So, cyclocross season starts this weekend, and hopefully I will be there at Kirkland Cyclocross for the start of the NYCROSS.com Cyclocross Series. And don’t tell my doctor. 🙂

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Riedlbauer’s Round Top Rally: NYS MTB Series Finale

Posted on September 8, 2013 by aa

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!!! A day that started out iffy at best (left without my hydration pack), turned out to be a great day of racing for me. My first win of the season came at my last mountain bike race of the season…Riedlbauers Round Top Rally: NYS MTB Series Finale.

I started the day realizing that I showed up to the race without my hydration pack and without my Hammer Nutrion Heed. I had one small bottle of plain water that I drank prior to the start. It wasn’t hot out, so I figured…if I can race a 45 minute cyclocross race without drink, I can race this race without drink. And this is a course that I love to just hammer through, so more than likely I wouldn’t have drank much during the race anyway.

This is another race course that suits my mountain bike strengths. Singletrack! Fast, flowing, semi-technical singletrack. I got a good start for a change and was in third entering the woods. Within the next 1/4 mile or so, I was in the lead for good and never looked back. Ok, so I looked back going into the second lap to see how close 2nd place was. I didn’t see him. However, I was having so much fun I didn’t let up until I had about one mile to go. I kept hammering through the singletrack with much of it in the big ring. I felt good. Today’s race was the best I have felt all season. I’m sure leading from nearly start to finish had a lot to do with that.

So, 1st place today, ~46 seconds ahead of 2nd. I also finished 2nd overall (age/category) in the series with 243 points, 57 points back.

Thank you to Hammer Nutrition, Duro Tire, Rudy Projuct and TrFlow Lubes for a solid MTB Season! Now it’s off to cyclocross season.

Results

Overall Series Standings

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How To: Five Tips To Get Ready For Cross Season

Posted on September 6, 2013 by aa

Cyclocross racers are the triple threats of the bike racing world. You need fitness, skills, and a well-tuned bike. If just one piece is out of place, the whole game plan can come unraveled. To help assure that doesn’t happen, we talked to multi-time U.S. national champion Tim Johnson and Jamis Cyclocross Team’s Ben Jacques-Maynes, who passed these basic tips. Do them now to make your upcoming races the best they can be.

Read the full article here –>> How To: Five Tips To Get Ready For Cross Season | Mountain Bike Review.

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2014 Fuji Cross 1.5 Cyclocross Bike

Posted on September 4, 2013 by aa

As cyclocross season begins and the 2014 bikes start to show up on company websites, I have found an incredible “most bang for the buck” cyclocross bike…the Fuji Cross 1.5. Starting with an aluminum frame and carbon fiber fork, the Cross 1.5 adds Avid BB5 disc brakes and a 10 speed Shimano Tiagra drivetrain. The majority of the bike’s other components are Fuji’s own Oval brand, but don’t let that steer you away, everything about this bike is quality. And, the Fuji Cross 1.5 retails for only $1199.00. If you are on a budget, compared to other major brands, the Fuji Cross 1.5 is the bike to look at first. It will be hard to find a better buy in the bike shops.

2014 Fuji Cross 1.5 Cyclocross Bike

2014 Fuji Cross 1.5 Cyclocross Bike

Retail price: $1199.00

Specifications:

SIZES XS/S (48cm), S (50cm), S/M (52cm), M (54cm), M/L (56cm), L (58cm), XL (60cm)
COLOR(S) Matte Black
MAIN FRAME A6-SL custom-butted alloy w/ shaped top tube & integrated tapered head tube w/ 1 1/2″ lower, oversized 34.9mm round seat tube, PIIS BB86 shell, double water bottle mounts
REAR TRIANGLE A6-SL custom-butted alloy, forged-road dropout w/ post mount disc mount and replaceable derailleur hanger
FORK FC-770 Cross carbon blade, alloy crown w/ tapered alloy steerer & alloy dropout
CRANKSET Oval 520 forged, 46/36T
BOTTOM BRACKET Oval BB86 press-fit
PEDALS N/A
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Tiagra, band-type 34.9mm
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Tiagra, 10-speed
SHIFTERS Shimano Tiagra STI shifter/brake combo, Flight Deck-compatible, 20-speed
CASSETTE Shimano Tiagra, 12-30T, 10-speed
CHAIN KMC X10, 10-speed
WHEELSET Vera Corsa aero alloy clincher, 24/28H precision disc hubs
TIRES Challenge Grifo clincher, 60 tpi, 700c x 32mm, folding
BRAKE SET Avid BB5 mechanical disc for road, 160mm / 140mm rotors
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Tiagra STI shifter/brake combo
HEADSET FSA Orbit C-40, 1 1/8″ upper – 1 1/2″ lower, integrated
HANDLEBAR Oval 310 butted 6061 alloy, 31.8mm
STEM Oval 313 3D-forged 6061 alloy, 31.8mm, +/- 7 degrees
TAPE/GRIP Oval 300 suede-padded tape
SADDLE Oval R500 w/ CrMo hollow rails
SEAT POST Oval 300 2-bolt alloy, 27.2mm x 300mm
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NYCROSS.com Thursday Night Lights CX

Posted on August 30, 2013 by aa

Cyclocross season is officially underway with last night’s Thursday Night Lights cyclocross race. Well, cyclocross of sorts. Take out the barriers and run-ups and you have a cyclocross grass crit. And that is what this NYCROSS.com series is. It is a three race training series designed to brush off the cobwebs. The races are held at Troy’s Prospect Park…the home of the Uncle Sam Cyclocross Gran Prix. I love this venue for ‘cross racing, and being held in the evening under the lights, make the event that much cooler.

I chose to race the Masters race rather than the Cat 4/5. I won’t be in the top end of either field, but I enjoy racing with the masters much more. After a season of ultra-endurance mountain bike racing and riding, I really had no idea how I would feel in a 35-45 minute all out cyclocross sprint. Surprisingly, I felt pretty good. Far better than I thought I might. After a sketchy start with a lot of handlebar banging and using my mountain bike skills to keep upright, I settled in with a steady spin throughout the course. The course was wide open and fast. One turn was a bit tight, but with the right line, not nearly as much breaking was needed.  The leaders completed ~24 laps, and with the short fast course, I completed ~21 laps giving me a 10th place finish in the Masters race. Finishing top 10 in a race like this is very satisfying.

There are two more nights of racing in the Thursday Night Lights series. I intend on being at both. I thoroughly enjoyed myself in the race, more than I have at most races in a long time. Riding far better than I expected has a lot to do with that. But, the race itself was a lot of fun. I would love to see this little ‘cyclocross/grass crit’ series turn into more races like this.

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West Hurley Burley: NYS MTB Series #5

Posted on August 25, 2013 by aa

Race #5 of the NYS MTB Series, the West Hurley Burly Backyard World Championships, mostly referred to as the West Hurley Burley or just the Burley was not one of my best days of racing. The course was a fun course with lots and lots of technical singltrack. A lot of singletrack, a lot of shale and pretty much no climbing. The elevation change throughout the course was rolling terrain at best. It’s not a complaint, just a description.

After the start, where everyone but me took to wrong side of the course tape (yeah, I was the only rider that was on course), we went into the singletrack to complete the 2.8 mile first lap. Crossing the start/finish line for the second lap, we went into the wood in a different direction to a 3 mile second lap. I rode mostly well, but I just didn’t feel all that great. I was also having trouble using the left brake lever with my torn ligament finger. So for the second lap, I just settled in rode at my own pace. None of the second lap was racing for me…just riding. As other riders wanted to pass, I let them. I still managed a 7th place finish. With one race remaining in the series, I am still holding 2nd overall, age/category, for the series.

Here are the Burley results:

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ProGold Degreaser+Wash…easy cleaning

Posted on August 22, 2013 by aa
If you get lazy about cleaning your bike…like I do, then you need this…Pro Gold Degreaser+Wash. Spray on, wait 5 minutes, wipe clean. It really is that easy. Thanks Bruce ProGold Bikes!
http://bikes.progoldmfr.com/products/?product=degreaser — with ProGold Bikes.
ProGold Degreaser+Wash

ProGold Degreaser+Wash…the easiest way to clean your bike!

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2013 NYCROSS.com Schedule

Posted on August 12, 2013 by aa

The wait is over! The 2013 NYCROSS.com Presented by VOMax race schedule has been finalized and it’s a good one. There will be two additional events added to the series, and don’t forget about their skills clinic and brand-new grass criterium series.

  • Sept. 7: NYCROSS.com Cyclocross Skills Clinic, Prospect Park, Troy
  • Sept. 15: Kirkland CX, Kirkland, NY
  • Sept. 22: Adirondack Cyclocross, Johnstown, NY
  • Oct. 12 & 13: Uncle Sam GP in Troy, NY
  • Oct. 20: SpaCX in Saratoga, NY
  • Oct. 27: Wicked Creepy in Bennington, VT
  • Nov. 2: Syracuse CX
  • Nov. 10: Bethlehem Cup, Elm Ave. Park, Bethlehem, NY

And as previously posted, the Thursday Night Lights grass “crit” series, where all proceeds go toward the NYCROSS.com Elite (Men & Women) and Junior development teams.

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Belleayre Mountain All Terrain Challenge: NYS MTB Series Race #4

Posted on August 11, 2013 by aa

Race # 4 of the NYS MTB Series, Belleayre Mountain All Terrain Challenge, is in the books with a 3rd place finish…that’s two podiums in a row. This is one of my favorite courses in the Series. At Belleayre, you will find some great flowing singletrack, steady climbs and fast descents. It’s not the super fast singletrack that we find at Stewart, but it is tight and twisty singletrack that is so much fun to ride.

An uphill start leading into the wood that kind of require the hole shot in order to not potentially get caught behind other riders in the singletrack. That wasn’t me. As I have always said, singletrack is my strength, I wanted to be there sooner than I was. So, I did get caught behind a couple of riders, and it took me a little time to get past them. But once I got past, I continued to get past riders to work my way to 3rd place and the 5th rider overall to cross the finish line. Another strong ride for me, and the result also keeps me solidly in 2nd place overall for category/age in the Series.

Here are the Belleayre Mountain All Terrain Challenge results:

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MTB Worlds Riders Fund by R Scott Tedro – GoFundMe

Posted on August 9, 2013 by aa

Sho-Air International has pledged to donate $100 of assistance to each rider representative making the trip to South Africa to compete in the MTB World Championships August 26th through September 1st. We are encouraging all in and out of industry sponsors as well as individuals with a passion for the sport to match this $100 per rider, or whatever they can afford to give, every dollar counts. Please support these world-class athletes representing the USA at the highest level of the sport. All donations will be distributed equally among the 35 riders in order to assist them with the high costs of competing in light of the USAC budget constraints.

You can donate here–>> MTB Worlds Riders Fund by R Scott Tedro – GoFundMe.

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